Good morning and welcome to the Sprout. Happy Pancake Tuesday, where your host is on the hunt for the world’s best homemade pancake recipe. Suggestions, tips, impassioned arguments about corn syrup vs. maple syrup can be sent to [email protected]

Now, here is today’s agriculture news

The Lead

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Wilbur Ross as commerce secretary – an appointment that means trade talks can now officially begin. Ross, who is expected to launch trade talks with China and Mexico, was sworn in Tuesday morning. No word yet on when NAFTA talks are set to start. Reuters was there.